The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) has partnered with Walker Cares to offer Youth Mental Health First Aid to library staff.
“Frontline library staff work with teens, many of whom have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and a year of social distancing.” said Lyndsay Forbes, Project Manager and Grants Specialist at the MBLC. “This program has equipped librarians to form part of a support network for teens as they process their experiences and begin post-pandemic life.”
Youth Mental Health First Aid helps adults who work with youth to recognize, support, and refer youth who may be experiencing mental health challenges or may be in crisis, for professional mental health services. It gives individuals who work with youth the skills they need to provide initial support to adolescents (ages 12-18) and help connect them to the appropriate care.
The trainings cover signs and symptoms of mental illness in this age group including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and signs of substance abuse.
The MBLC and Walker Cares offered 10 sessions with two set aside exclusively for school librarians. First round sessions were filled within 24 hours. “I highly recommend this program for other school librarians – we are in an excellent position to provide mental health first aid to our students who need it,” said one librarian.
Release – MBLC
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